Alan F. Rhea, 58, of Kearney, Mo., passed away suddenly at his home on May 14, 2018. Alan was born on August 15, 1959 to Richard and Velma (Conley) Rhea in Cassville, Mo. He was the oldest of four children. He graduated from Purdy High School with the Class of 1977. Alan continued his studies at St. Paul’s College in Concordia, Mo., and received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Pittsburg State University in 1981.
Alan married Debra (Avondet) Rhea on November 21, 1980 in Monett, Mo. To this union, two children were born, Richard Edward and Alan Jacob. He taught and coached basketball at Meadow Heights High School in Patton, Mo., from 1981 – 1984 and Greenfield High School in Greenfield, Mo., from 1984 – 1986. In 1986, Alan started his career with State Farm Insurance in Chillicothe, Mo., serving 13 counties as a Fire Claims Adjuster. On January 1, 1989 he was appointed as a State Farm Agent in Kearney, Mo., serving the community until his death. He was blessed with a wonderful staff of Stacy, Amber, and Rosa.
Left to mourn in his passing are his wife, Debra; his son, Richard (Richie), wife Traci, and grandchildren, Riley, Brady, and Tenley Rhea of Monett; his son, Alan Jacob (AJ) and wife Kristi, and grandson Kason Rhea of Kearney. Also surviving are his parents, Richard and Velma Rhea; sister, Diann Wallace and husband Mike; brother, Edward Rhea and wife Tracy; and sister, Ashley Bailey and husband Brett. Alan had a special bond with his nieces and nephews, Lacey and Michaela Wallace, Taylor, Karsen, and Harper Rhea, Jaxon, Connor, and Ross Bailey.
He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Lucille Avondet of Monett; his brother-in-law, Don and wife Brucene Avondet of Joplin, Mo.; and brother-in-law, Doug Avondet of Monett; niece, Dondi Avondet of Nixa, Mo.; and nephew, Dustin Avondet and wife Kim of Pierce City, Mo.; along with several great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kearney, Mo. Funeral services will also be held at the church on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Graveside services will be held at Stones Prairie Cemetery in Purdy, Mo., on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gift of Life.
Our Sincere Condolences
Debra and Family,
So shocking to hear of Alan’s passing. We will miss him and his friendly smile and conversation. Prayers for all of you and as we know we will see him later. We are all in “God’s waiting room”.
Bob & Marlo Howard of Your Trinity Family
My deepest prayers and sympathy for you, Debra, and for all of your family. Words cannot help, but the assurance of a joyful reunion with our Heavenly Father sustains us. God bless you.
Perry Davis
Velma and Richard and family…..there really are no adequate words at Time liike this! It is not the natural order of life to lay a son to rest. I can not begin to imagine your grief. I am so thankful for your Christian faith for at this time that is what you need to sustain you. May Our God hold you in His mighty. right arm.
Lovingly, Dolores Woodruff
My prayers and love go out to the Rhea family at this time of the loss. Rest In Peace Alan and know how much you ate truly missed.
Pam Hurst
Debra and family,
So sorry for your loss of Alan. You are all in our thoughts and may you find peace in knowing he is always with you.
Love Jeff & Julie
Dear Debra and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Alan’s passing. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ron and Mary Garner
We are so very sad to learn of the passing of a great man. May God wrap his loving arms around all of you and grant you peace.
Edgar and Glenda Schoen
So very sorry to hear of Alan’s passing. Prayers for family and peace.
Jim Bishop
Debra,
I’m so sorry and saddened to hear about Alan’s death. Such a terrible shock…. My heart goes out to you and your family. Alan was a gem of a man. I loved his sense of humor, honesty, and story-telling. He was generous, wise in a down-to-earth way, and loved to laugh that infectious laugh. I’ll miss him – and pray for you all during this time of grief.
Blessings and peace,
Matt
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are sent to all during this sad time. May peace fill your hearts knowing he is at Home in Heaven.
Linda Bertalotto
Dianne Wallace so sorry to hear this. Our prayers are with you and the family.
Barbara Wallen
Dear Debra and family,
We were stunned and saddened to learn of Alan’s death. He was a man with the gift of gab and a heart of gold. We loved his stories along with the assurance of our insurance needs. We trusted his guidance and advice. Our hearts are heavy and we offer our hugs and friendship at this time of great loss. God wrap you in his comforting arms and bring you peace.
Keith and Mary Wornson
Debbie and your family, we are so sad to hear of this. It just tears our heart out. Let God help thru your pain. We recall the many fun trips we shared because of our mutual association with State Farm.
You are in our prayers and thoughts.
Ron and Linda
So sorry to hear about Alan’s death. He was a great guy, always friendly, always knew you and will truly be missed.
Alan & Joyce Bray
Debra and family,
We are so sorry to hear the sad news about Alan. Praying that God gives you comfort and peace in this trying time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your children and all the Rhea family.
Larry and Charlotte Schoen
I’m so sorry for your loss! Words can’t describe your pains what you’re going through! God only knows why, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this time! You all are a wonderful strong family! Lean on him to get you through this! Prayers your way for you and your families!
Bonnie Heeter
Dear Debra and family,
Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Love,
Carolyn McMechan
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.
Helen Ruscha
Dear Velma and Richard,
We were saddened to hear of your loss. Please know how very sorry we are. God is always in your corner at a time like this – and so am I. Hold on to your memories and let them guide you during this time of sadness. Velma and Richard we will be praying for you.
Love Janice and Leo
We were very saddened to hear of your loss. Alan held a very important role in the lives of my children and grandchildren and I will be eternally grateful for your welcoming and accepting them into your own family. We will have you in our thoughts and prayers.
Michael and Bobbie Pauley
Deb and family, Rhea family and Avondet family. There are no words to express our heartfelt sorrow to hear the news of Alan’s passing. He was so well liked and respected by family, friends, the community and church. May God grant you all peace with the memories you have of times spent with Alan.
Dick and Wanda Sanders
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Pray God grants you comfort during this difficult time.
Harold and Gwen Lampe
I am so sorry for your loss. When Alan was a fire adjuster in Chillicothe he used to come to our Macon office, which at that time was the only State Farm office there, and the agent was Edgar Green.
Alan was very pleasant, upbeat, fun to have around and people really liked working with him.
May God give you all comfort at this time.
Debbie Craigg
Debra and Family,
I’m so sorry for your loss… there just are no good words. Thinking about you during this difficult time.
Russ Courdin
Debra, I am so sorry, it seems impossible that this man could be gone already. I so many times thought I would get together with you when I was in your area and now it is too late to see Coach, I will forever regret this. He was my favorite coach/teacher and I have such good memories of him. I hope you find some comfort knowing what an impact he had on his students/athletes and how he will never be forgotten.
Linda Seabaugh
Debra, Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss; my prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Janell Marbut
To the family & office staff of Alan Rhea:
Please accept my sincere prayers & condolences in the loss of you loved one. May you find comfort in the knowledge that you will be with him one day in Heaven. He will be missed by those who knew him.
Betty Miller
Dear Debra, Velma,& Richard,
We were all so saddened when hearing of the passing of Alan. He was such a great man love to laugh and loved his family.
Mom and I were talking about when we were going to Trinity with you and Alan and how we watch the boys grow up and then we moved here to Monett and then we watch them grow into the men they have become. The wonderful husbands and Fathers they are is because of the great role model they had! Debra, Alan adored you and those boys, just hold onto that love another it always there always going to be there he still loves you just know that he’s ever present watching over you and your kids when you feel his presence know it’s real.
Richard & Velma, a Parent should never have to bury a child! I cannot imagine the pain that you have in your heart when you lose a child. You know I have my two girls and I can’t even fathom how I would feel if I lost one of my girls! All I can say is trust that God knows what is best for everyone, including Alan. I believe that everyone is put on this earth for a purpose and I believe that Alan had fulfilled his purpose on this earth and it was time for him to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And blessed be the day that we get to join him!
Richie and AJ, you both knew my father and you know I lost him suddenly. I struggled with that for quite some time because I never got to say goodbye or tell him that I loved him before he passed. After I was able to get out of my feelings and think about it rationally I knew that I loved my father and I also knew that my father knew I loved him! I also knew that my father would not have wanted to be stuck in a hospital bed for weeks or to be lying in pain or to have some extended illness for 2 or3 years before he passed my father went the way he would’ve wanted to go nobody wants to be laying you know in a hospital bed waiting to pass hoping to pass! your Dad went the way he would’ve wanted to go you know my Dad had many bouts with cancer, and that’s the way we all figured he would go, but thank the Lord he didn’t. He went the way he wanted to quick & painless! So to all of Allen’s family I send my deepest condolences and I wish you all of God‘s peace.
We love you in Christ Jesus,
Lori Hilz & Hazel Ideker
I cannot think of a sweeter family, so loved by all who knew you. This is such a shock for all of the Purdy community. My heart is saddened for each member of your family. My God hold you very near Him and give you Peace as you walk through this heartbreaking time. We know Alan is now at Home with Jesus and One Day you can be reunited. For this we can find comfort.
Bonnie Hemphill Long
Dear Debra, Richie and AJ,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. You all have always been a really neat family and this will help you get through. Debra you and Alan lived life to the fullest and you were like salt and pepper. Just always together.
Alan was way too young. Your loss is great but you will survive. My prayers will be with you.
Love,
Cookie, Andy, Joe and Nick Sparks
To Debra, Ritchie and AJ, words can’t express what I feel for your loss. I knew Alan going on 28 years he and Debra didn’t just take care of my family and I so wonderfully over all these years through their insurance agency but they truly became like family to us. I always knew when I was going into the office to visit with Alan I always made sure I had plenty of time because we would always have nearly an hour long conversation usually about sports. Whether it was these long conversations or our time playing men’s league basketball together and particularly how he and Debra have taken care of myself and my family over all these years he was truly the best and a great friend. I’ll miss him dearly.
Jered Porter
Debra and the Rhea famliy,
I was heartbroken to hear about Alan. My thoughts and prayers for strength and healing to get everyone through these next days, months and years have been coming your way since I heard the news.
Love to you all,
Tammy Harper Busby
I have many great memories of growing up with Alan…always playing baseball (even when it was just him & I), trading baseball cards, always wanting to be the one that got to ride in the “cubby hole” in the Conley’s VW, dragging Broadway, our trip to see the (football) Cardinals play the Cowboys…having to dig loose change from under the seat for gas money to get home. You will be missed greatly…but we will all have wonderful memories of you.
Dennis Schad
Debra and Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.
Tim and Michele Wooley
Prayers to you and the Family, Deb. God Bless.
Russ and Jemmi Lombard
Our hearts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. May God send you His peace and comfort today and in all the days longer He requires you to be apart from Alan. May He give you hope until you meet him again.
Jennie Lakenan
So sorry for your loss. Enjoyed interacting with the family at sporting events as well as the very professional and positive reception we always received at the State Farm office. He will be missed.
Frank and Lexie Buell
Thinking about you in my heart and remembering you in my prayers.
Dianne Baum
I am so sorry to hear of Alan’s passing. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Lindsay Reiter
Dear Debra and family,
We are stunned to just learn of this news of Alan’s passing. Although our times together were several years ago, we have very fond memories of our times together. We’ll be praying for strength for your your family during this time.
Blessings to you and all!
Very sincerely,
Gerry & Pam
Debra and Family,
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss Alan. Our prayers and condolences are with you during this difficult time.
Most Sincerely,
Jared & Arin Summerville
